CH 51

Mariabelle, leading the way with a light in her hand, explained to Renato as they made their way through the musty corridors.

"That mechanism was built when the Kingdom was the only country that ruled this continent. By fitting three stones of a certain weight into three hollows, this passageway would open."

The kingdom has no name.

The Gallerian Empire, the Republic of Morvia, and the smaller states of the Central Group of States each have their own national names, but the Kingdom is simply called "the Kingdom."

This is because it is said that the present kingdom is based on the phantom kingdom that once unified the entire continent.

The phantom Kingdom had a civilization so advanced that it cannot be compared to the present one, and its ruins can be found throughout the continent.

Among them, the present "kingdom," which was the centre of the phantom kingdom, has the largest number of tricks left behind.

The entrance to this hidden passageway, which was built when the royal princess was married off, was also made by relocating such a trick.

"Can you tell us about it?"

"It is not something that can be opened simply by placing a stone on it. If the weight of the stone is different, it will not open. Those born into the Berkeley family are forced to learn the weight of the stones with their own hands from a young age."

Renato understood that this was why Mariabelle was checking the weight of the stone she had picked up.

"Is there another trick at the exit?"

"It's a secret."

Mariabelle looked back at Renato with a mischievous smile, and immediately turned forward with a serious expression.

"I hope you're alright..."

"On the way here, we had not heard anything in particular about James being taken to the royal capital by them."

He was surprised by the sudden arrival of the crown prince's Kingsguard, but was satisfied with the story that it was for a joint military exercise with the territorial army of Berkeley.

As part of the exercise, the royal army was supposed to be staying in the castle town of Berkeleys', but there were not that many of them. Rather, there were more soldiers at the border checkpoints.

They did not hear that the Berkeley's mansion was surrounded by the king's army, but it is certain that the comings and goings were being monitored.

The entrances to the gates surrounding the mansion were heavily guarded.

Mariabelle's family was forbidden to leave the house, but they do not appear to have been harmed in any way.

"I hope so, but I am concerned."

Mariabelle continued onward, her feet quickening.

Her mother, Christina, and her brother, Julian, were in the mansion.

Until she was sure that they were safe, she would not feel at ease.

After walking for a while, a steep staircase appeared.

She boldly pulled up her dress and began to climb the stairs.

Each time she took a step up, her white ankles came into view, and Renato, who was right behind her, stopped in a panic.

"Turn around and step back!"

Renato's voice sounded impatient, and the guards, who had been walking single file, pushed each other backward.

He heard Carlo swearing at the tail end of the line.

Meanwhile, Mariabelle arrived at the door at the top of the stairs.

Then she operated the lever next to the door.

After taking a breath, Mariabelle slowly opened the door and peeked through the gap.

The office was lit and there seemed to be someone inside.

As Mariabelle kept her breath under control, she heard a man's voice ask in a low voice, "Mariabelle?"

When she did not answer, the voice came again, "I'm the only one here."

At the voice, Mariabelle opened the door a little more and looked inside the room.

Suddenly moving from the dark to the light, it was too bright to clearly see what was going on inside.

Still squinting her eyes, she heard the sound of someone coming and the door opened from the other side.

He hugged her tightly.

"Mariabelle!"

The person who hugged her was her older brother Julian, who had been gently watching over her ever since she returned to the estate.

"Big brother!"

"Have you come through the hidden passageway...? Are you alone?"

"No. I am with His Highness Renato."

"Of the Empire?"

As if on cue from Mariabelle, Renato slowly entered the room.

He had black hair and eyes as blue as the sea.

Julian understood that this was indeed the Crown Prince of the Empire.

Julian immediately knelt down, but Renato stopped him.

"I would rather call you my brother-in-law."

To the casually speaking imperial prince, Julian asked Mariabelle to explain what this meant.